This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/free-hugs-punch-tourist-new-york-times-square-a7028956.html
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Man offering 'free hugs' in New York arrested for allegedly punching tourist in the face | Man offering 'free hugs' in New York arrested for allegedly punching tourist in the face |
(35 minutes later) | |
Oftentimes, when somebody offers a “free hug”, that is what they give. But for one New York City tourist, the advertised free hug came with violence and a black eye. | |
A 22-year-old woman on holiday from Ottawa met a man carrying a sign that read 'Free hugs' in the epicenter of Manhattan tourism, Times Square, and took a photo with him. According to police, when she declined to tip him after taking the photo, the man allegedly punched the woman in the face and ran away. | |
Police officers apprehended the suspect shortly after the reported assault with the help of the photo the victim took with him. | Police officers apprehended the suspect shortly after the reported assault with the help of the photo the victim took with him. |
Jermaine Himmelstein, the man accused of assaulting the woman, did not deny the allegations. He was reportedly charged with robbery after the Thursday arrest. | Jermaine Himmelstein, the man accused of assaulting the woman, did not deny the allegations. He was reportedly charged with robbery after the Thursday arrest. |
“I was aggressively asking for tips,” he told a local NBC affiliate. | “I was aggressively asking for tips,” he told a local NBC affiliate. |
According to the New York Times, Mr Himmelstein, 24, has a troubling history of assaulting women throughout the city. | According to the New York Times, Mr Himmelstein, 24, has a troubling history of assaulting women throughout the city. |
In a 29 April incident, investigators said Mr Himmelstein assaulted a woman in her mid-20s who was waiting for the subway. | In a 29 April incident, investigators said Mr Himmelstein assaulted a woman in her mid-20s who was waiting for the subway. |
“You will respect me when I knock you out,” he reportedly said as he ran off. | “You will respect me when I knock you out,” he reportedly said as he ran off. |
The Times featured Mr Himmelstein in a 2013 profile, where he described an attack on a female New York University student. | The Times featured Mr Himmelstein in a 2013 profile, where he described an attack on a female New York University student. |
“She says, ‘I have a boyfriend,’ and this and that,” he said of the encounter in Washington Square Park. He described himself becoming upset that she would think he was “desperate, having no friends”. | “She says, ‘I have a boyfriend,’ and this and that,” he said of the encounter in Washington Square Park. He described himself becoming upset that she would think he was “desperate, having no friends”. |
“I went and got a can out of the trash and filled it with water and I marched right back to her and threw it right in her face until her face was swollen,” Mr Himmelstein said. “Then I got a cup of ice coffee and I threw it at her.” | “I went and got a can out of the trash and filled it with water and I marched right back to her and threw it right in her face until her face was swollen,” Mr Himmelstein said. “Then I got a cup of ice coffee and I threw it at her.” |
That same year, police say he assaulted another woman in the park, telling her, “You’re pissing me off. I assault people when I’m mad,” before attacking. | That same year, police say he assaulted another woman in the park, telling her, “You’re pissing me off. I assault people when I’m mad,” before attacking. |
Both NBC and the Times detailed numerous other reported attacks on young women by Mr Himmelstein. Police said he had been arrested 16 times. | Both NBC and the Times detailed numerous other reported attacks on young women by Mr Himmelstein. Police said he had been arrested 16 times. |
Mr Himmelstein’s parents told the Times in 2013 that they had not been aware of his behaviour until then. | Mr Himmelstein’s parents told the Times in 2013 that they had not been aware of his behaviour until then. |
“We don’t condone this,” Denise Himmelstein said. “Jermaine comes from a home where we give him hugs.” | “We don’t condone this,” Denise Himmelstein said. “Jermaine comes from a home where we give him hugs.” |
Ms Himmelstein said that her son suffered from autism. | Ms Himmelstein said that her son suffered from autism. |
“Please tell every woman in America, I apologise,” she added. “Any woman walking through that park, I apologise.” | “Please tell every woman in America, I apologise,” she added. “Any woman walking through that park, I apologise.” |
Previous version
1
Next version